**Today we’re hearing from Amy Roberts of Raising Arrows about one of my favorite topics, How to Stay Sane While Homeschooling a lot of Kids. No matter how many kiddos you’re currently homeschooling, I think you’ll find lots of helpful grace-filled thoughts from Amy in this post! ~ Jamerrill xoxo

How to Stay Sane While Homeschooling a lot of Kids

From Amy,

As a homeschooling mom with a lot of kids, I am often asked how I manage it all and stay sane. I definitely don’t do it perfectly every day, but I have learned a few tips and tricks over the years to contain the chaos and stay as sane as possible through it all!

Homeschool from the bottom to the top

I always start with the youngest kids, so once they are finished with school, they can head off to play, leaving me to work with the older kids fairly uninterrupted. Some people find it is better to homeschool the older ones first, but I usually end up neglecting the younger kids’ school work when I do this. Homeschooling little ones doesn’t take very long, so I prefer to get it out of the way first thing.

Don’t try to teach every subject yourself

In this technological age, we have computer programs, online sites, and Pinterest to help us homeschool! Use them! Try using a computer-based math program, or a free spelling site, or a typing program on CD. Use whatever resources you can to lighten your load.

Train toward independence

Starting from the time your children are young, start teaching them to work on their own. Give them a few problems in their math workbook and then walk away while they try to complete the work by themselves. As soon as they are reading well, give them books to read on their own. Don’t hover, and don’t let them depend on you for the answers.

Stay flexible with your time

Large families always seem to have something going on that can easily throw us off track if we don’t stay flexible. Our family has chosen to homeschool year round because it has allowed us the flexibility we need to take breaks without stress. You might choose the same path we have or you might choose to homeschool at night or even on the weekends to allow yourself the flexibility to stay sane as you homeschool through the ins and outs and hiccups of having a large family.

Look for mastery

You don’t need a test and grades to tell you if your child is understanding their lessons. You need to look for mastery of subjects and that can often be found through a simple conversation or observation of your child working. Don’t spend a lot of time grading and testing your children unless you absolutely have to.

Don’t teach subjects “just because”

My 17-year-old has never had a spelling lesson throughout her entire homeschooling career because she’s a natural speller. I don’t need to waste time, money, and energy on a spelling curriculum with her because she simply does not need it. Don’t think you have to do certain subjects because that’s what everyone does. Your time is better spent doing the subjects your children need.

Homeschool hearts before heads

Your children need a mother more than they need a teacher. Yes, you are both, but never sacrifice your mothering for your homeschool lessons. Remember to smile at your children, hug them, encourage them, and be mom while you homeschool. Build relationships with your kids. Being mom lasts much longer, and is much more important than academics will ever be.

Blessings,
Amy

Amy Roberts of RaisingArrows.net is a Christ-follower, devoted wife, homeschooling mother of 10, blogger, conference speaker, podcaster, and author. Amy inspires the hearts of weary, overwhelmed mamas across the world as she offers practical and encouraging advice to help simplify the path and enjoy the journey of homemaking, homeschooling, marriage, and mothering. Find her on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.

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**Special note from Jamerrill: Hey friend, I have a special treat for you today. Large family homeschooling mom of 15, Sherry Hayes, is sharing her thoughts on ways to build up your family with a classic movie night! I always appreciate Sherry’s ideas and tips for family living. She’s a blessing to my momma heart. I hope you enjoy her post today! ~ Jamerrill xoxo

From Sherry,

Large family life is a lot of work, but it is also loads of fun. This is especially true when it comes to movie night. We regularly pop up some corn, rip open a box of Milk Duds and immerse ourselves in a good flick. However, we don’t want to watch something that will take bleach to clean out of our heads later.

The choices these days are almost endless, or so it seems. However, after doing a pretty good job of searching just about every streaming movie service, from Netflix to Hulu to Amazon, we have found that most of what is being offered is not according to our standard:

So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:9

Our home is more than a house filled with people, it is a place where we want the Holy Spirit to reign. This is a daily miracle when you have so many different genders and ages all rubbing against each other. Attitude can be everything in a large family, so we try to avoid movies that:

Waste valuable life

Tear down good morals.

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

Certainly, there are worthy movies that have come to us in recent years, but these are hard to find, and often sprinkled with the profane. In order to enjoy the good you have to fast-forward through a LOT of the bad.

Excellent acting. These are the stars everyone else tries to live up to: Chuck Heston, Richard Burton, et al.

Stimulation to learn more about history and other interesting subjects. Even though the story lines were often embellished, the basics are solid and often capture the imagination enough to spur the entire family on to find out more.

Moral reinforcement. The mores of the past were more (although not completely) in line with a conservative, Biblically-based world view. Very little political correctness found in any of these. There are consequences for evil and the good guys (who really are good, not so convoluted that you can’t tell) win.

Encouraging take-aways. We try to pick movies that stir us up to persevere, forgive, and give more of ourselves.

Only the jaded and cynical are critical of movies from this era. This is because altruism has been redefined. According to the current “morality,” anything that hampers the “self” is sin, where it used to be:

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.

We watch them because they are excellent, they make us feel good, and they encourage us in the lines of Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things arelovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

We have viewed quite a few of these over the years. some aren’t worth mentioning, but there are a number every person should watch. Here are just a few to start you off (with descriptions from IMDb):

A Greek artisan is commissioned to cast the cup of Christ in silver, and sculpt around its rim, the faces of the disciples and Jesus. He travels to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome to complete the task. Meanwhile, a nefarious interloper is trying to convince the crowds that he is the new Messiah, by using nothing more than cheap parlor tricks.

Oh, and if you are wondering where you can watch the above films for free (or nearly free) try your local library, or maybe you could find them on a free Roku channel. Many stream for a small fee (often much smaller than for current movies) via Amazon or YouTube (there are actually tons of other, less-known old movies for free there, too).

Have a wonderful family movie night!

Sherry Hayes is the homeschooling mom of 15 children. She lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains where she walks with Jesus and shares His abundant life with her husband, David. Besides laughing with her family, some of her favorite things are long walks, vintage learning, and all things creative. For more of what she’s up to, click over to her blog, Mom Delights.

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LARGE FAMILY HOMESCHOOL MOM DAY IN THE LIFE

In today’s large family homeschool mom day in the life I’m sharing my new goal of trying to get in around 10,000 steps on my Fitbit most days. You also get to see Mr. Benjamin David eat his applesauce and bananas. We talk about making dinner and enjoy what I call a “chill-out day at home.” There’s also a brief Mr. Travis sighting!! 🙂

Will This Work For A Large Family? Go Wise Electric Air Fryer XL Unboxing!

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However, I wanted to give it a try and see what I can cook up in it for my large family. IF it doesn’t work out for our family I know a couple to give it to in the future. Maybe it’ll work for us, maybe not? What do you cook up in your Air Fryer? Leave your Air Fryer recipes and tips for me in the comments below!

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